Helen Mae “Honey” Kautzer, 85, of Medford, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 10, 2025 while under the care of St. Croix Hospice.
She was born April 6, 1940 in Princeton, Wisconsin to Joseph and Magdalene (Wozniak) Soda. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1959.
On February 20, 1960, Honey married Wayne L. “Rusty” Kautzer in Princeton. Shortly after they married, they moved to Medford where Honey raised their five children and made their home. Once the children were in school, Honey worked part time at various businesses in town.
Honey was devoted to her faith. She loved attending church services and enjoyed singing the hymns. She loved all music, including polka, waltz, and country…and she was often dancing to it! She also enjoyed gardening, bird watching, being outside and taking walks. Her greatest love was her family and Helen enjoyed being a big part of their lives too. She was such a gift to them all.
She will be dearly missed by her five children, Greg (Marlene) of Medford, Brenda (Tim) Sperl of Medford, Steve of Dorchester, Kevin (Anna) of Marshfield, Wayne Jr. (Eva) of Medford; siblings, Ernest Soda of Ripon, Juanita Soda of New York, Delores (Phillip) Hoopma of Nashkoro, Mary (George) Korlewski of Wild Rose, Joanne Sweda of Ripon, Sharon (Ken) Przybyl; in-laws, Dean Kautzer of Medford, Jan Roesler of Milwaukee, Sherry and Lanny Peissig of Medford; grandchildren, Josh (Mel) Sperl, Justin Sperl, JoDee (Brad) Smith, Timmy Sperl, Jordan, Lorien, Arden and Gavin Kautzer, Schyan and Kaeden Kautzer, Michael Franz, Issac Kautzer; great-grandchildren, Grace, Braden, Annie and Hailey Sperl, Bella, Mckenzie and Breck Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Irene and Louis Kautzer; her husband Rusty on May 15, 2000; brothers, Raymond (Joan), George, Norbert (Pat), Victor, Donald Denny (Audrey) Kautzer; sisters, Angie Chikowski, Francis Darnick and Gen Feldt; sister-in-law, June Kautzer; and brother-in-law, Jerry Sweda.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 17, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Medford with Pastor George Myers officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery II, Medford.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.